FAQ's

What is the U.S. Transplant Games?
The U.S. Transplant Games is a four-day athletic competition for recipients of organ transplants. Competition in the U.S. Transplant Games is open to anyone who has received a lifesaving solid organ transplant--heart, liver, kidney, lung, and pancreas. Bone marrow (excluding autologous) recipients are also eligible to participate. As much as the Games are an athletic event that calls attention to the success of organ and tissue transplantation, it is also a celebration of life among recipients, their families and friends.

When, where and why are there Transplant Games?
The next U.S. Transplant Games will be held July 27-August 1, 2004 at the University of Minnesota.

The purposes of the U.S. Transplant Games are:

• To demonstrate to the public the collective and individual successes of the life-restoring therapy of organ transplantation
• To use the mass media to promote the success of organ donation and transplantation and to call attention to the need for organ donation through events and support activity before, during, and after the event
• To contribute to the successful rehabilitation of the nation's transplant patient community
• To involve the entire transplant community--including physicians, allied professionals, patients, donor families and related organizations--in a collaborative effort for the benefit of organ donation
• To provide an opportunity for these goals to be achieved locally by NKF Affiliates and other participating organizations.

What's at the Games for me?
Transplant recipients can participate as an athlete and compete in up to four sporting events (see registration material for exceptions). Donor Families and Living Donors can register for the Giving, Grieving, Growing™ Program, which includes workshops and sharing sessions specifically designed for them and/or participate in the Quilt Pinning Ceremony and National Donor Family Council Executive Committee meeting. Athletes participating in the Games and registrants of the Giving, Grieving, Growing program are invited to march in the parade at Opening Ceremonies and participate in the Recipient and Donor Golf Outing. Transplant Professionals may register for the Transitions in Transplantation: A Continuum of Care, a unique program designed to focus on how transplant professionals assist recipients and donor families in dealing with life's changes. Attending this program will afford procurement professionals, bereavement specialist, transplant coordinators, transplant social workers and transplant dieticians the opportunity to improve their role in helping recipients and donor families face the changes in their lives, earn continuing education units and witness first-hand how organ donation and transplantation can positively impact the live of the individuals they care for. Athletes, donor family members, living donors, transplant professionals and spectators are all encouraged to attend Opening and Closing Ceremonies, the Donor Recognition Ceremony and participate in the nightly Social Lounge, Coffee House, the 5K Dash For Donation and Kids' Time.

The U.S. Transplant Games is presented by the National Kidney Foundation. Does that mean I can only compete if I have a kidney transplant?
No. Recipients of any life-saving solid organ transplant may compete.

What is available for kids, athletes or not, to do during the day while parents are competing or no youth competitions are going on?
Parents should register their child for events the child wants to participate in. The number of entries dictates the events that are staged for young children. Traditionally, events have been staged for children in Track and Field, Bowling and Swimming and more. In addition, Kids' Time is scheduled on all three days of competition so there is something for children to participate in every day. As for activities for children while parents are competing, there is no daycare available during at the Games. All children are welcomed to participate in Kids' Time but an adult must accompany them. Parents may want to consider a "buddy system" with other team members to watch each other's children during their respective competitions.

My hospital would like to send a group of athletes to the Transplant Games. How do we register them?
All athletes registered for the U.S. Transplant Games compete as part of an official team. Check this site listing or call your local National Kidney Foundation Affiliate to find the team manager for your area. Only official U.S. Transplant Games teams will be recognized. Contact the official team manager for your area for registration and reservation information and to find out ways you can be part of the official team (volunteering, local team events, activities, fund-raisers, meetings, etc.).

I live in New York and I was transplanted in Maryland. With which team do I register?
U.S. Transplant Games teams are set up in National Kidney Foundation Affiliate areas. These affiliates provide programs and services to individuals who reside in their territories. In keeping with this structure, transplant athletes must be a part of the team where they reside, not where they were transplanted, since the NKF Affiliate in that area would provide assistance to the individual throughout the year. Individuals who will not be competing in the Games (spectators) and who are accompanying a transplant recipient competing in the Games may register with the athlete's team.

I am a Games spectator who lives in Minnesota, but I am accompanying an athlete who lives in Louisiana, which team do I register with?
Individuals who will not be competing in the Games (spectators) and who are accompanying a transplant recipient competing in the Games may register with the athlete's team.

How do I find the Official Team for my area?
You can locate the official team here or call (800) 622-9010.

I heard about the U.S. Transplant Games at the World Transplant Games. May other countries participate?
Yes, individuals who live outside of the United States may attend the Games. International transplant recipients may register to compete in the Games, however medals will be earned in a separate division for international competitors.

I just received my transplant last month and heard about the Games. How do I go about registering for the Games?
Transplant recipients are eligible to compete in the Games when their transplanted organ has been functioning for at least six months. Individuals who have been transplanted for at least six months should contact team manager from their area for more competition information. Individuals who have not been transplanted for at least six months are welcome to join the local team and attend the Games as a spectator so that they can be a part of this reunion of recipients and celebration of life.

When can I register?
You can register between now and May 31, 2004. However, events are expected to meet their capacities, therefore its strongly advised to forward your registration forms as soon as is convenient to guarantee the entries of your choice. Online registration is available 24/7 and you do not need to make housing reservations prior to registering.

The Games are held over the course of 4 days. How do I determine my age category?
Your age category at the Games is determined by your age on the day of Opening Ceremonies.

My child is 2 years old. Is she too young to compete?
Transplant recipients of all ages participate in the Games.

What if I want to participate in a "doubles" event and do not have a partner?
You must indicate the name of your doubles partner on your registration form. Contact your team manager if you need assistance in finding a partner. Please note that both partners in a doubles event must be a part of the same team.

I want to play basketball (or volleyball, or team golf, or team bowling).
Individuals wanting to be considered for participation in these events should indicate this via their registration form. Your team manager will select individuals for these events from those who have shown interest via the registration form.

What is the deadline to register?
The national Games registration deadline will be May 31, 2004. Please check with your team manager. Local team deadlines may be earlier.

Can I watch the competitions without registering?
For those who do not pre-register for the Games, there is a daily admission fee to attend most Games events and activities.

How do I make reservations?
Games online registration and housing is scheduled to open January 2004. Please contact your team manager to learn the preferred hotel for your team.

What about a meal plan?
A meal plan is included in the on-campus housing package (Centennial, Frontier, Territorial and Middlebrook residence halls. A meal plan may be purchase by those who choose to stay off-campus. In addition to the meal plan, athletes may consider supplementing their meals by carrying drink boxes, fruit and other snacks. Two meal plans are being offered-a STANDARD MEAL PLAN, which includes 3 meals per day, beginning with breakfast on Thursday, July 29th thru breakfast, excluding dinner on Saturday, August 1st; and an EXTENDED MEAL PLAN, which includes the Standard Meal Plan plus breakfast, lunch and dinner on Wednesday and $20 in Flexdine.

Where will I eat my meals?
Breakfasts and dinners for individuals sleeping in Centennial, Frontier and Territorial residence halls will be served in the Centennial Hall Dining Hall. For those sleeping in the Middlebrook residence all, your breakfasts and dinners will be served in the Middlebrook Dining Hall. If you are purchasing a meal plan, you can opt to dine in one of two dining hall options, based on meal plan availability.

Grab N Go Lunches will be distributed from the McNamara Alumni Center (MAC) Plaza, adjacent to the transportation hub, from 7am to 11 am, Thursday, July 29 thru Saturday, July 31. (Lunch on Wednesday, July 28th will be served in the dining hall(s).)

How do I get a ticket to Opening Ceremonies/Closing Ceremonies?
Opening and Closing ceremonies are free and anyone can attend, however there is an admission fees for the party following the Closing Ceremony. Tickets may be purchased in advance with Games registration. Tickets may be available on-site, price to be determined.

At what age is a registrant considered a child and at what age is the child admitted "free of charge"?
For the purposes of housing packages and meal plans, individuals 12 and under are children. Children 3 years of age and under, who are not competing in the Games, are not required to register for the Event. They will be permitted to enter Games venues (and eat in the dining hall) at no cost provided that they are accompanied by a parent or guardian who has registered for the Games (and has purchased a meal plan).

I need help raising money to go to the Games. Where can I look to get financial assistance?
Contact your team manager to find out what is available at the local level. You may be eligible for grants, scholarships or financial assistance. Each team is handling fund raising, registration, reservations, etc differently.

Who do I contact with questions?
Questions should be directed to your team manager. They are abreast of the most current Games information and will able to keep you informed.

I'm on dialysis and traveling to the Games, is there a dialysis center near the Games site?
A list of transient dialysis centers by state can be found on the Dialysis & Transplantation web site at: http://www.eneph.com/thelist/USStates.asp.

All photos, unless otherwise noted, courtesy of the National Kidney Foundation, Jay LaPrete, Mark Serota, Eric Miller and Jason Arnold.
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